The glow of Radiant Systems

Goizueta graduates have the world at their feet. So why are so many trading the Fortune 400 for a trip up Georgia 400--to Alpharetta-based Radiant Systems? Nearly twenty alumni have joined the global software company in the past five years.

It could be the subsidized cafeteria, featuring healthy alternatives and a former executive chef from the Buckhead Life Group.

It also could be the well-stocked weight room, jogging trails, or dartboard and ping pong tables.

It even could be the flexible hours, stock options, or generous vacation time.

But ask any employee why they chose Radiant, and you'll hear things like "opportunity," "ownership," and "impact." The 15-year-old company has grown from 250 to 1,000 employees in the past 5 years. Most are attracted by its young (average age: thirty) and exciting attitude.

Scott Taulbee '96EMBA has been with the company for four years, and is now in the Ebusiness unit. After eight years with NCR Corp., he was looking for a smaller, more innovative company. "It's a fast-paced environment. When we see an opportunity, we go after it," he says.

Melissa Howard '96MBA also came from NCR, via a failed Internet startup. "I really liked the people and the atmosphere is great," she says, "but I wanted to get out of consulting." When Radiant asked her to "own" the recruiting program, she eagerly delved into building a strategy.

To Adam Naide '88BBA, after ten years with major media outlets, Radiant Systems is the perfect size. "We're not a startup, and we're not IBM," he says. "We have a lot of product lines and work with multiple industries, but we're small enough that anyone can make an impact."

Marcia Feuer '00MBA was a financial analyst with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Now she's a product manager. "Radiant offered me a job with a great deal of responsibility and ownership," she says. "Everyone has to own and drive their own work."

Chris Couch '01EMBA also was lured by the ability to grow, after working with two Fortune 100 companies. "I believe in the technology solutions Radiant is bringing to market," he says. Couch is a solutions director for Food Service.

Much of Radiant's attitude can be credited to brothers Erez and Alon Goren, founders of the $700 million firm, who are in their mid-thirties themselves. Their seven core values--people, innovation, learning, integrity, clients, change, and results--set the pace and encourage employees to "just do it and ask forgiveness later," says Howard.

Radiant Systems designs transaction-processing and management systems software for businesses worldwide. Its clients include: AMC Theatres, BP Amoco Group, Chick-fil-A, Inc., General Cinema Theatres, and Speedway SuperAmerica LLC.

--Sarah Banick

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